Purchase advice for '86 euro 190D? (photos inside) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cornblatt · #1 08-06-2003, 08:33 PM

Hi!

I'm looking at buying a 1986 190D sedan. It's a european model, recently imported from Germany.

I need some pre-purchase advice...

It's a 2.0L diesel (vs the US 2.2L model). It has 243000km (around 152000 mi) on it, and it's got a 4-speed manual transmission. It's got some different features than most north american models I've looked at, including manual windows, cloth interior, manual dual-zone climate control with no A/C, and a manual sunroof. Overall, a very basic car.

It's metallic light blue. Condition is fairly good but not perfect; there's some rust around the jacking points and some rust starting in the wheel wells (most of it is not yet visible, but it will be within the next year). In general, the underside of the car has noticeable surface rust in many places. The blue plaid fabric interior is perfect except that the dash is cracked.

The engine looks OK, but the cooling fan never turned on (maybe a problem, maybe not?). There was a general oily residue in several places, but no obvious major leaks.

The seller is asking $6900 US, and isn't very flexible (my best attempts at bargaining got him down to $6500).

My concerns with the car are:
1) The price seems high for a basic car (no A/C, no leather, no pwr windows, no power sunroof, no climate control, steel wheels) that will be rusty in a year or two.
2) The ability to find parts / get repairs done (due to the fact that it's a euro model).
3) Winter starting - the seller claims that the 190 diesels are substantially better than the older 240D / 300D models, and will start at 20 below without a block heater

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Here are some photos:

Side view
Front
4spd manual transmission
Instrument cluster
Back right view
Heater controls
Engine #1
Engine #2
Engine #3
Interior
Back Seat
Dash
Hood open

turbodiesel · #2 08-06-2003, 08:40 PM

That's alot for a euro car. It's got a cracked dash and missing hood star to boot! I'd definately pass on this one.. you can find a US 4-speed 190D 2.2 with little trouble. The girl in the window is cute as well.

speedy300Dturbo · #3 08-06-2003, 08:45 PM

For that price, you can get a <200K mile 1987 300D in great shape with a LOT more power, working AC, leather interior and overall a lot more car for the money. He's asking way too much.

Stevo · #4 08-06-2003, 09:08 PM

All the manual stuff is an asset but the cloth interior is a PIA as far as I am concerned. Hard to keep clean. I cleaned mine good then applied Scotch Guard but I am always getting something on the seats or door panels and having to clean them. I like the MB tex much better. I agree that its over priced but I have not had any problems with the Euro parts but then I have not needed to do allot to my Euro car. Could be problems down the road. Its a nice looking car but because its a Euro you should be able to get the price down, if not walk away.

#5 08-06-2003, 10:47 PM

The girl is cute though.....

Pass it up. For 6K buy 2 W123 4 speed 240D's with <200K, and throw one out when it breaks.

jobah · #6 08-07-2003, 08:01 AM

I love the 601 190's, but I would not buy this one.

The price is way too high.

I had the velour interior and it is hard to keep clean and it wears out much quicker than the mb tex.

There are tons of 84-86 190 5-speeds which are much better deals. Btw, the 5 speed was the only manual tranny in the US, and it is a great advantage over the 4 speed.

WRT to the 240d comments, I have a 123 and a 126 both with 617's and my daily driver is the 190....

Stevo · #7 08-07-2003, 09:57 AM

jobah

The interior if my euro is not velour, its tougher than that but its not MB tex. It would be interesting to know what its called. The seats in general just dont seem as comfy and thick as the MB tex ones in my other 240.

Steve

84300DT · #8 08-07-2003, 11:05 AM

nice little car but the price is insane!!

no way would i believe that it could start at 20 below F or even C without a block heater..